Former police station transformed into retail hub

A multi-million-pound retail development has opened in Sunderland, bringing new jobs and national brands to a former police station site.

The old Farringdon Hall Police Station and neighbouring land have been transformed into a 32,452sq ft retail park by northern developer Almscliffe Dhesi.

Fully let, the scheme has created 100 jobs and features occupiers including B&M Homestore with a garden centre, Costa Drive-Thru, Greggs, Dicksons Butchers, The Tanning Shop and Westway Vets.

Alongside the retail units, the development provides 110 parking spaces and eight electric vehicle charging points.

With an annual rent roll of £627,500, the investment is now on the market for over £10 million.

Bal Singh, Almslciffe Dhesi director, said: “It fills me with great pride to finally see work completed on site and our development fully occupied.

“Having worked on this project for over seven years, it has been a real labour of love for me as I’m incredibly proud of the area and of my city of Sunderland.

“This development adds real value to the community, creating over 100 much-needed jobs for local people and providing a vibrant retail centre in a popular residential area of the city.

“The old police station building was nothing but a blight on our community since it closed its doors ten years ago, so it’s been great working with Sunderland City Council, who shared our vision of once again making this site a key part of the community breathing new life into derelict land.”

Bal added: “I’m Sunderland bred and I’ve lived close to Durham Road all my life, so I’m delighted to have been able to rejuvenate this derelict site.

“We are so proud to have secured reputable brands with both national and local recognition, such as the B&M Stores, Greggs and Costa Coffee, which demonstrates their confidence in Sunderland.”

Neil Creeney, co-director of Almscliffe Dhesi with Bal, added: “Our business blueprint involves locating a vacant visible, roadside site, preferably in Yorkshire, the North East or Humberside, and obtaining planning permission to develop it for retail and roadside uses.

“We have excellent contacts for nationally renowned end-users, including supermarkets, drive-thru’ outlets and retail operators, who are looking for what we can provide.

“This major Sunderland development is a magnificent example of this.”

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